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Horses pass gas because microbes ferment food during digestion. Gas by itself does not tell you whether a horse is ill: veterinary sources do not set a normal farting frequency or define passing gas alone as a warning sign. The concern is gas trapped in the intestine and causing pain—or gas accompanied by other signs of colic, such as repeated rolling, poor appetite, or reduced manure.
Why do horses pass gas?
Microbes in a horse’s digestive tract ferment feed, producing gas. When gas builds up in the large colon or cecum and stretches the intestine, it can cause painful gas colic. That is different from simply seeing or hearing a horse pass gas. The University of Florida’s UF/IFAS guide to colic in horses describes gas buildup as one possible cause of colic.
There is no established normal frequency of passing gas in the veterinary sources cited here, and no frequency-based threshold that diagnoses disease. Pay attention to the horse’s behavior, appetite, manure, and overall condition rather than counting episodes.
Can pasture or a feed change contribute to gas colic?
Yes. A sudden change in diet can affect digestion, and lush spring grass is a particular concern for some horses. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine explains that spring pasture can contain sugar and fructans—non-structural carbohydrates that ferment rapidly and may produce substantial intestinal gas. Its spring pasture guidance associates gas colic with this seasonal change; it does not mean that every horse passing gas after grazing has colic.
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Reduce abrupt pasture transitions
The University of Illinois recommends introducing spring pasture gradually over 10–14 days, continuing hay during the transition, and keeping feeding schedules consistent. UF/IFAS also recommends good-quality forage, routine exercise or turnout, and limiting grain-based feeds when possible. These are general management suggestions, not a substitute for advice tailored to your horse’s health and diet.
Which signs make gas a health concern?
Watch for signs of abdominal pain or a change in normal behavior, not just flatulence. Colic is a description of abdominal pain, not one specific disease; different causes can begin with similar signs. The University of Illinois explains that colic signs may indicate pain anywhere in the abdomen, while some serious causes can start mildly and worsen quickly.
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- Pawing, repeatedly lying down and getting up, rolling, or thrashing.
- Looking at or biting the flank, stretching as if to urinate, or reluctance to move.
- Reduced appetite or less manure than usual, or no manure.
- A swollen or distended abdomen.
- Sweating without exertion or heat, depression, or faster-than-usual breathing or heart rate.
If you see signs of colic, contact an equine veterinarian promptly. Persistent or recurring pain, a worsening horse, or several warning signs warrant urgent communication; do not wait for dramatic symptoms. Passing gas does not establish that the underlying problem has resolved. The University of Illinois overview of colic describes why causes and severity can vary.
What should you do if your horse shows colic signs?
- Call your equine veterinarian. Describe the signs, when they began, and any recent feed or pasture changes. Follow the veterinarian’s directions about what to do while waiting.
- Remove feed but leave water available. UF/IFAS gives this as general owner guidance for a horse with colic signs.
- If it is safe, record vital signs. Take the horse’s temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate, and note gum color and moisture. UF/IFAS lists general adult-horse ranges of 99–101°F rectally, 24–48 heartbeats per minute, and 10–24 breaths per minute. Individual baselines vary, and readings within these ranges do not rule out colic.
- Do not medicate or attempt invasive treatment on your own. Do not give medication without veterinary direction, pass a tube, or force-feed mineral oil. Ask the veterinarian whether walking is appropriate.
Veterinarians may investigate colic with a history and physical examination and, depending on the case, a rectal examination, stomach tube, blood work, or imaging. Gas, impaction, intestinal displacement or twisting, and inflammatory or ulcerative disease can have overlapping early signs, so farting or gut sounds alone cannot identify the cause. For owner guidance, see UF/IFAS: Colic in Horses.
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How can you lower the risk of diet-related problems?
- Introduce new feed and pasture gradually rather than making abrupt changes.
- Keep hay available during a gradual spring-pasture transition, following the University of Illinois recommendation.
- Maintain a consistent feeding routine and provide good-quality forage.
- Discuss pasture access, grain, turnout, and exercise with your veterinarian or an equine nutrition professional when you need a plan for an individual horse.
These steps can support steady management, but they cannot guarantee that a horse will not develop colic. Because several conditions can cause abdominal pain, a veterinarian should assess concerning signs rather than an owner trying to diagnose the cause from gas alone.
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